The research is conclusive and it is not good for any teens who think that it is ok to drive while texting or talking on the phone. In fact, a Connecticut auto accident is six times more likely if you’re dialing a phone number and twenty-three times more likely if you are texting while you’re driving. Of course this statistic goes for both teens and adults and so it is critical that we all avoid these distractions while driving.
Teen drivers are far more likely to be driving while distracted than adults, this is not because they are any worse drivers, but because they have not matured as much as adults and have not experienced the consequences that come from being distracted while behind the wheel. As they start to get older, they will develop a stronger sense of what is ok to do behind the wheel and what is not.
As a parent, what can you do to make sure they do not drive while distracted so that it is not too late for them to have matured into this understanding? We’ve compiled a short list of things you can do to make sure that your teen is following the rules and staying safe behind the wheel. While these things are not guaranteed to stop the behavior, they will certainly shine a light on the behavior and make your teen stop to think if what they are doing is safe.
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Model good behavior. If your teen sees you texting or calling while driving they will be more likely to behave in that way when they are driving. If you are demonstrating the safe procedures of not texting or calling while driving then your teen will be much more likely to follow your lead. Parents still have a tremendous amount of influence over the behavior of teens and what they see you doing is what they will likely do as well.
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Have clear consequences for distracted driving behavior. You will need to talk with your teen about what your expectations are for them behind the wheel and set clear and concise consequences for them if they break those rules. If you are clear and fair about these rules they should be a good deterrent for getting your teen to skip the distracted driving in favor of safe driving.
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Talk to your teen about the dangers of distracted driving. You might get an eye roll or two, but having the conversation and making sure your teen is fully aware of the risk they are putting themselves and their passengers in can be a good deterrent for your teens to not text or call while driving.
Spending the time talking with your teen and setting significant and clear rules for driving can not only keep your teen from participating in these behaviors, it will also keep them much safer and less likely to get into a Connecticut auto accident than those teens who do not have these boundaries.
Whether it’s your teen or you that has been involved in an accident and injured you may need to speak with an attorney. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys, who has seen many scenarios that are likely similar to one you are experiencing, will reach out and speak with you about your situation.
